William Mitchell Banks Lecture on THE PROBLEM OF THE STIFF JOINT

As an old pupil of Sir William Mitchell Banks I have a vivid recollection of his strong and charming personality and of his influence over his colleagues, not only in this city, but throughout the country. He was, without exception, the most interesting and lucid lecturer to whom I have ever listened, and his anatomical demonstrations, enriched by aphorism and an eloquence peculiarly his own, fascinated all who were privileged to attend his classes. His eminence as a surgeon will always be recognized; his contributions to the literature of his art are many and enduring. Medical education was a subject dear to his heart, and we in Liverpool will remember gratefully the important part he played in laying the foundations of our University. Our profession is enriched by the example he set in maintaining its noblest traditions. In one of the last letters I received from Sir William he deplored the fact that the bone-setters were making inroads on the reputation of our profession, and he asked, " When shall we wake up? " This has influenced me in choosing for the title of my address " The problem of the stiff joint." It is a subject which is of interest to surgeons generally, and has a far-reaching importance to every practitioner of medicine. The field it covers is so extensive that in the brief time at my disposal I can only touch lightly upon points which seem essential and fundamental. The ordinary textbook, if it deals with the question at all, does so in an indefinite way, and invariably leaves us without practical guidance; as a sequel to this